West Lancashire

Family life changed for many in West Lancashire in the decade leading up to the most recent census. Data from the census also show there were changes in religion, ethnicity and housing tenure.

The population passed 110,000

In the 10 years leading up to the latest census, the population of West Lancashire increased by 2.1%, from just over 108,000 to 111,000.

The addition of about 2,300 people means this area's population increased at a slower rate than the total population of England (up 7.9% since the 2001 census).

In 2011, West Lancashire was home to, on average, 2.3 people per football pitch-sized piece of land.

Population density was lower than the average across the North West

Population density (usual residents per football pitch-sized piece of land) across the North West, March 2011 (larger dots represent greater increase since 2001)

An older West Lancashire

Census 2011 data also show a change in the local population's average age.

Between the last two censuses, the median age of West Lancashire increased by three years, from 39 to 42 years.

This affluent area had a higher average age than the North West and remained somewhat older than the average local authority area across England (39 years of age).

The rise in age was because of an increase of just over 2,800 people between the ages of 60 and 69 years, while the population between 30 and 39 years decreased by just under 4,000.

About 13% of people in West Lancashire are aged between 60 and 69 years

Percentage of usual residents in England, North West and West Lancashire by 10 year age band, March 2001 and March 2011

More single people in West Lancashire

The percentage of people who had never been married or in a civil partnership increased in West Lancashire, but at a slower rate than across the North West.

In West Lancashire, the proportion of single people increased from 27% in 2001 to 31% in 2011. During the same period, the regional proportion increased from 30% to 36%.

Across the North West, the share of people who had never been married or in a civil partnership increased from 30% to 36%.

The proportion of married people in West Lancashire fell from 55% to 50%, while the proportion of people who had divorced or separated from a marriage or civil partner increased from 10% to 11%.

The proportion of people who had never married or entered a civil partnership was lower than across the North West

Percentage of usual residents aged 16 and over that said they were single across local authority areas in the North West and the average across England, March 2011

Religion in West Lancashire

The 2011 Census asked a voluntary question about religion. Of those who chose to disclose their religious affiliation, 18% said they had no religion. An increase from 9.5% in 2001 makes this the fastest-growing religious group in West Lancashire.

The percentage increased by less than the average across the North West (from 10% to 20%) and the average across England (from 15% to 25%).

The number of people in West Lancashire that described themselves as Christian decreased from about 91,000 in 2001 to about 84,000 in 2011 (from 84% to 76%). The number of people who did not disclose their religious affiliation decreased from just over 7,100 to about 6,300 (from 6.6% to 5.7%).

Just under 280 people (0.2%) said they were Muslim, up from about 200 in 2001 (0.3%).

The population without a religion in West Lancashire increased by 8.3 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents in England, North West and West Lancashire by religion, March 2001 and March 2011

Disability in West Lancashire

The percentage of West Lancashire residents whose day-to-day activities are limited a little by a long-term health problem or disability remained close to 7.5% in the decade leading up to the most recent census.

In 2011, just under 1 in 20 (4.7%) reported being limited a lot in their day-to-day activities, compared with 4.0% in 2001. The percentage of West Lancashire residents whose day-to-day activities are not limited by a long-term health problem or disability remained close to 88%.

The proportion of people who are slightly limited by a long-term health problem or disability fell at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of the North West (from 7.0% in 2001 to 6.7% in 2011). Across England, the percentage fell from 6.8% to 6.5%.

The proportion of people who are limited a little by a long-term health problem or disability was higher than across the North West

Percentage of usual residents that reported being slightly limited in their day-to-day activities across local authority areas in the North West and the average across England, March 2011

Ethnicity in West Lancashire

In 2011, 98% of the local population said they were from the White ethnic groups. An increase from 99% in 2001 makes this the fastest-growing ethnic group in West Lancashire.

Across the North West, the percentage of people from this ethnic group fell from 94% to 90%, while across England the percentage went from 91% to 85%.

The number of people in West Lancashire from the Asian or Asian British ethnic groups increased from just over 720 in 2001 to about 910 in 2011 (from 0.7% to 0.8%). The number of residents from Mixed/multiple ethnic groups (White and Asian, White and Black African, White and Black Caribbean or Other Mixed) increased from just over 580 to just under 870 (from 0.5% to 0.8%).

Just over 170 people (0.1%) said they were from the Black, Black British, Caribbean or African ethnic groups, up from about 150 in 2001 (0.2%).

The population from the White ethnic groups in West Lancashire remained close to 98%

Percentage of usual residents in England, North West and West Lancashire by ethnicity, March 2001 and March 2011

Rise in private renting

The percentage of privately rented homes increased in West Lancashire, but at a slower rate than across England.

In West Lancashire, the proportion of private renting increased from 5.7% in 2001 to 10% in 2011. During the same period, the proportion across England increased from 9.9% to 17%.

Across the North West, the share of privately rented homes increased from 8.5% to 15%.

The rate of social housing in West Lancashire fell from 17% to 15%, while the rate of home ownership decreased from 74% to 73%.

Private renting in West Lancashire increased by 4.8 percentage points

Percentage of households in West Lancashire, the North West and England that rented privately, March 2001 and March 2011

Health improved

The percentage of West Lancashire residents that described their health as bad or very bad decreased from 10.0% to 6.3% in the decade leading up to the most recent census.

Rates are standardised to account for variation in age, which can impact the local population's health.

In 2011, just over 8 in 10 (80%) said their health was good or very good, compared with 69% in 2001. The percentage of West Lancashire residents that described their health as fair decreased from 21% to 13%.

The proportion of residents that perceived their health as bad or very bad fell at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of the North West (from 11% in 2001 to 6.8% in 2011). Across England, the percentage fell from 9.1% to 5.5%.

These data are people’s own opinions in describing their overall health. They may be inconsistent with other measures of health, such as NHS records.

The percentage of people in ’bad’ or ’very bad’ health in West Lancashire decreased by 3.7 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents in West Lancashire, the North West and England said their health was bad or very bad, March 2001 and March 2011

Fewer people worked long hours

The percentage of employed people in West Lancashire working more than 49 hours in the week before the census decreased from 13% to 10% in the 10 years leading up to the latest census.

In 2011, just under 1 in 30 (3.2%) people aged 16 to 74 (in employment the week before the Census 2011) said they had worked less than 16 hours the previous week, compared with 1.8% in 2001.

The proportion of people working long hours fell at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of the North West (from 11% in 2001 to 8.3% in 2011). Across England, the percentage fell from 13% to 10%.

Long hour working in West Lancashire decreased by 3.2 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents aged 16 to 74 (in employment the week before the Census 2011) in West Lancashire, the North West and England that said they had worked over 49 hours the week before completing the census, March 2001 and March 2011

More homes without children

The percentage of households without children increased here at a faster rate than across England.

In West Lancashire, the proportion of households without children increased from 57% in 2001 to 59% in 2011. During the same period, the proportion across England increased from 61% to 61%.

Across the North West, the share of households without children increased from 59% to 61%.

The proportion of households with children in West Lancashire fell from 32% to 29%, while the proportion of households with only adult children living with their parents remained close to 12%.

The proportion of households without children was lower than across the North West

Percentage of households without children across local authority areas in the North West and the average across England, March 2011

More people cohabiting

The percentage of households in West Lancashire, which comprised a cohabiting couple, increased from 6.6% to 8.3% in the 10 years leading up to 2011.

In 2011, just over one in four (27%) households had only one person, compared with 26% in 2001. The percentage of households in West Lancashire which comprised a married couple (with or without children) decreased from 42% to 37%.

The proportion of households with an unmarried couple increased at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of the North West (from 7.9% in 2001 to 9.8% in 2011). Across England, the percentage increased from 8.3% to 9.9%.

The percentage of households with a cohabiting couple in West Lancashire increased by 1.7 percentage points

Percentage of households in West Lancashire, the North West and England that had an unmarried couple, March 2001 and March 2011

More students

The percentage of West Lancashire residents that were studying increased from 2.9% to 4.3% in the 10 years leading up to the latest census.

The percentage who said they were employed remained close to 50%, while the percentage of West Lancashire residents that were unemployed increased from 3.2% to 3.9%.

The proportion of students increased at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of the North West (from 2.5% in 2001 to 3.5% in 2011). Across England, the percentage increased from 2.6% to 3.5%.

The percentage of students in West Lancashire increased by 1.5 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents aged 16 to 74 in West Lancashire, the North West and England that said they were in education, March 2001 and March 2011

Change in unpaid care provision

The percentage of West Lancashire residents that provided at least 50 hours of weekly unpaid care increased from 2.6% to 3.1% in the decade to 2011.

In 2011, 1.6% of reported providing between 20 and 49 hours of unpaid care each week, compared with 1.3% in 2001.

The proportion of people providing 50 hours, or more, of weekly unpaid care increased at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of the North West (from 2.4% in 2001 to 2.8% in 2011). Across England, the percentage increased from 2.1% to 2.4%.

The proportion of people providing 50 hours, or more, of weekly unpaid care in West Lancashire remained close to 3.1%

Percentage of usual residents in England, North West and West Lancashire by care, March 2001 and March 2011

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